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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Chocolate Maps

I LOVE/HEART maps.

I'll throw a map into a post in at any opportunity.

Maps give us the chance to dream.

What would it be like to walk down that street in Paris. I have the NY Metro map as a shower curtain. But a map of Paris would suit me so much better. Never mind all that, the maps dearest to my heart are "Chocolate Maps". And you get them aplenty at any chocolate show, whether Paris or Tokyo. It's a universal concept that delights universally.

Charbonnel et Walkerhas created the almost perfect Chocolate Map. And it's hand-made as lovingly as are their chocolates. But the size is wrong.Ideally a Chocolate Map should fit inside your purse or pocket - you want to be able to pull it out and study it during moments of boredom like on the subway or while at a party of someone you don't know.

Listen to this: "CHEVRE" Goat cheese, Pear Williams and crushed black pepper butter-cream.This one chocolate would do nicely for dinner.

Patisserie Payard has this small booklet showing a charming variant on the chocolate map.

Coppeneur of Germany was at the New York Show and gave out this sweet little book. Here you get German lessons as well as the pertinent info on the interior of their chocolates in a 3" x 4" 32-page book.

JOHN & KIRA'S had this lovely full-color foldout for the NY Choco Show. I wish they showed their terrific tasting chocolates as well as the ingredients-SHOW US THOSE CHOCOLATES!

Chocolat Michel Cluizel knows the value of a good map. Although some of his maps have too much geography for my tastes and I wish they were a smaller - more pocket-sized... Chocolats Cluizel was at both the NY and Paris show - so there were plenty of opps to collect his info. Are Chocolate Maps the new collectible?

Jean-Charles Rochoux' chocolate map is perfection. There are 7 leafs to his accordian foldout. GENIUS! And his chocolates are perfection. He understands well the value of a miniature map. His only shop can be found at:

La Maison Du Chocolat understands the chocolate map concept perfectly!Each season they reel these out for their discerning customers.I've started to make notes on this - it's so irresistable.

Only text on a chocolate map will not do. What fun is that? SHOW US THE CHOCOLATES PLEASE!PHerme understands what goes on in our hearts and minds. He gives us MACARON maps to keep us hooked and dreaming.Just 3.25" x 3.25" - perfect for pocket or purse.This big sheet (8.50" x 9") is too big to carry around and study at length I'm afraid.A new Belgian company at the Paris Salon,Debailleul.Their graphics were every bit as enticing as their chocolates. They threatened they're coming to New York. PLEASE DO COMEDebailleul.I found Chantal Coady'sTHE CHOCOLATE COMPANION at the New York show. It's the chocolate map collector's dream come true - detailed descriptions.Pictures of chocolatiers' samples around the world. CHOCOLATIERS Listen up.SHOW US THE CHCOCOLATES!What do you think of all this nonsense?HAPPY CHOCOLATE DREAMS dear PB readers

OMG double!! I want some of these maps, they are divine. the chocolates too of course.The Charbonnel and Walker map is making me want to start drawing chocolates, it's so perfect. Those chocolate masks are fab too - is there anything one can't make from chocolate?

Are you a method painter? Do you have to taste each chocolate over and over to really get to know it--before you feel like you can really paint it accurately? If I was to start painting---I know there would have to be a lot of tasting. :)

WOW!This so reminds me of those WHITMAN'S SAMPLERS...Where you got to choose your chocolate based on those sweet little pictures on the bottom(?) or inside the box.Dreams do come true - my first experience of GREAT ART!THANK YOU :)Lucinda

I love those maps! I wish more chocolatiers would give them with purchase, that way I would know what I'm eating :) and wouldn't have to stress out trying to write everything down while I'm buying them.

When my Mom would get a box of chocolates you could always tell if they didnt have the chocolate maps with the pictures inside the box.There would be tiny little bites out of the bottom of most of the candy because she was trying to find her favorites to eat first.

Of course she could have been being very clever and did it to keep others out of her chocolates. LOLBut to carry one in your purse to read when bored.. now that is a real Chocolate addict. ;)Where can I get one???

Chocolate maps for breakfast...yum~I'm "stuft". Too marvelous~How is the menu for the Russian Tea Room going?Have you completed it and turned it in already? Are we going to have a peek at it, too?hugs,Barbara

OMG!OMG!OMG! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOUTRIPLE!!!I am just thrilled by this postI will come back again and again!Your are a wonderful person to give us this!Like those FREE tastes at the Gelato shop but better

Oooh, lots of good chocolate shapes for painting models, too! (But, on second thought, you might have to get the real thing so you can take a bite out of them and then paint the remains.) I saw that one with your circle around the chocolate, and thought--hmmmm...Carol is choosing a destination on this map! ;)

What do I think? I think your work is fabulous! Thatyour latest posting arrived on the very day I promisedmyself that I would try NOT to attack the remainingChristopher Norman chocolates that I purchased at the NY chocolate show is unfortunate for my waistline, but a pleasure to my life.

The maps are glorious. I am very impressed that you had the presence of mind to pick them up. I was in such heaven at the show, I couldn't have read a thing.I will cherish the maps now that you have so kindly given us the chance to peruse them.

Hello! I am usually a lurker but I am so exited to see Venezuelan chocolate mentioned in your blog! I am originally from Venezuela but have lived for many years here in the US. And let me tell you, those chocolates are as good as they sound! I've been a chocoholic all my life and was utterly spoiled with all that fantastic chocolate growing up. My mom is coming to visit next month and I can't wait to get my usual shipment of chocolate!

Anyway, I love your blog. I found it while researching Paris. My husband took me to Paris this past March to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary (it was the honeymoon we never had). I had the time of my life. I feel like I relieve it a little when I check you blog. Thank you for that!

Dear C.G.(which actually could be translate into Chocolate Greatmaster)I´d like you to live round the corner so I could collect for you all the paper chocolate maps I find in Spain. BUT unfortunately this is not possible,so that´s why I try to increase your "chocolate-knowledges" ;DPlease,paint,paint,paint...I´m waiting for your beautiful watercolors to inspire my winter cooking ;D

You are the sweetest of all chocolate lovers, sharing all this bounty with us!May I express my deepest sympathy for you having attend boring birthday parties of someone you don't know! Imagine that. I thought this happens only with relatives. ;-)I'll have to come back. Right now I have to collect all the chocolate bunnies under my sofas.

An admirable collection! I believe you should establish an organization for the evaluation of chocolate maps and the accreditation of CHOCS, (Chocolate-map Hoarders of Certified Status).As for the incomplete Gerard Mulot, I found it a rather coarse specimen, with all that talk of Torrefaction, Decortcage, Concassse, Broyage... well you get the idea! I want to believe my chocolate is a genteel pleasure and I do not want to be educated about the unseemly acts required to produce it!AND I am as open-minded as the next person, but what can they be thinking when they pair sacred chocolate with foie gras? Blech!Ever your even-tempered (pun intended) friend,Jeanetteps Please circle the Rigoletto Lait on La Maison du Chocolate map for me.

Oh Jeanette, Mistress of LongEars Manor House and B & B!If you find the Torrefaction, Decortcage, Concassse, Broyage of chocolate unseemly PLEASE get your paws on the October 29 copy of THE NEW YORKER!Tout a suite!!!Bill Buford has written on EXTREME CHOCLATE - the REAL story of what goes in the sourcing of chocolate. It will curl your eyelashes or socks or something!A MUST READ!!!

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♥carol gillott♥

Paris, Ile de France, France

I moved to Paris 2 years ago. I should have done it sooner but that's how the macaron crumbles. Living on the Ile Saint Louis next to the Seine after the 19eme is 'la cerise sur la gâteau'. It doesn't get any better. I've painted watercolors for Bocuse, Champagne Mumm, Guerlain, Frederick Cassel, The Russian Tearoom and the Maharana of Udaipur.
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